Health & Safety Strategy

Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Regulator has accepted an Enforceable Undertaking from the Board of the Queensland Museum following an investigation of two cases of Q fever reported by the Queensland Museum in 2019.

Immediately after the reported cases of Q fever, Queensland Museum undertook significant action to address its workplace practices and protocols including updating the laboratory and reviewing our policies and procedures.

Through the Enforceable Undertaking, Queensland Museum has further committed to implementing a series of health and safety initiatives to ensure the continued safety of our people visitors, and collections.

This commitment will embed a safety culture across our network, demonstrate leadership, and create real and lasting cultural change across the museum sector in Australia.

The 2019 reported cases of Q fever at Queensland Museum were the first ever reported cases in an Australian museum.

Through the Enforceable Undertaking, Queensland Museum will elevate and improve awareness of zoonotic diseases and develop best practice work health and safety procedures and processes that will support Australia’s museum sector.

Key actions Queensland Museum will implement include: the development of a new WHS management system, enhanced training, toolkits, third-party audits, and compliance and best practice resources which will be shared with the museum sector, as well as community and volunteer groups.

Queensland Museum is an iconic institution that has continued to operate and work for the people of Queensland for more than 160 years.

We remain committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all our workers, contractors, volunteers and visitors.

Learn more about the Enforceable Undertaking at WorkSafe Queensland.